Just like wiring money to Nigerian generals or long walks on short piers, purchasing a used car is the type of task that is associated with financial risk. This needn't be, however. If one is cautious and puts a small amount of thought into it, the job need be neither challenging nor high risk. To assist, we've come up with just a few practical tips and tricks to ensure you get the best car that's good for you.
Watch out for cars you like. Most of us aren't Jeremy Clarkson and for the majority of the time a car is simply a car. When you're intending to invest thousands in one, however, you may as well make certain it's one which appeals to you. Even before you attack the showrooms and Web-sites, just pay a bit of extra attention to the cars which are close to you on a daily basis; the ones you pass on the road, park alongside at the office or see driving passed your window. Noting down the model and make of something you find appealing will give a very good place to start once you begin your search proper, as opposed to just simply throwing yourself blind into the arms of fickle fortune.
Assuming you have identified a car you like the look of, ask yourself if it's something you could live with every day. You might fancy yourself in that huge American muscle car that's going for a steal, but it'll likely drink petrol like a mule. By contrast, can that dinky, fuel-efficient Smart carry three young children comfortably on a lengthy school run?
Steer clear of cars that are likely to be attractive to dangerous drivers. In particular here, we're thinking about boy racers. Citroen Saxos, Vauxhall Novas, even Ford Fiestas are popular with the type of young, hot headed men that could very well have been driving recklessly and possibly without being insured. Even if the car looks like it's fine at first glance, there's no guarantee it has been well maintained and there could be underlying issues. Of course, if your potential car has been owned by a boy racer then the massive tail fins and under car UV lighting may also be a clue.
Take a look around second-hand car dealers. They may have a bad rap, but the infrastructure of a business gives you an assurance of quality which you won't get from a man in a lay by. Most second hand car dealers carry out their own quality checks on the vehicles that end up on their forecourts. Some may also offer a limited warranty and after-sales services.
In the event that car is more than 3 years old, check with the seller that it has a new MOT. It's not enough for it too simply have an MOT; that may have been conducted 6 months ago and any variety of problems could have developed since that time.
The Net is your friend; it can put you in contact with a large number of retailers you'd probably never ordinarily have come across. It's common practice these days for people to arrange a viewing over the internet, travel up on the train and then drive the car back if they like it. The common rules still apply, of course. Do the same checks you would were it a car you had found down the local garage, and just because you've travelled to view the car don't feel urged into buying. You'll lose more money on a poorly chosen car than you will on a return rail ticket.
Set up a test drive and ideally one that permits you to keep it over night. Don't just use it for just one journey to work and back: take it on a proper drive. You might notice the sticky clutch or grinding gears on the Colchester bypass, but you may not notice the tendency to overheat on lengthier drives or the old spring in the seat that pokes into your back.
Do an HPI check. They're available easily on the internet. Put "HPI check" into any internet search engine and you'll be presented with internet pages which need nothing more of you than to provide your potential investment's registration number. In return, you'll receive a full rundown on whether or not the car concerned has any outstanding finance, whether it has been reported stolen with the police, whether it's an insurance right off as well as whether or not it's a clone. A check will most likely be priced at between £20 and £30, but it's worthy of that modest outlay for peace of mind. Less costly offers are often available if you're checking several cars - and let's face it, how many of us just look at one car when we're buying?
Even more importantly, always bear in mind that you are a customer. You may be buying a second hand car, but that doesn't mean you should expect second hand service. Demand the very best and if it isn't adequate walk away. As a quick Google will demonstrate, there isn't a shortage of pre-owned cars on the market and that gives you great power as a buyer.
The article author works closely with used car specialists Alresford Garage, who provide a number of quality used cars with superb after sales support.
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